The inaugural resident theater company at La Jolla Playhouse, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, concludes its residency this month with Jane Martin’s “Good Boys.” Continuing through June 14 at the Mandell Weiss Forum Studio Theatre, it is the finest production ever mounted by Mo`olelo and one of the best seen in San Diego this season. The acting company is splendid and so is Mo`olelo artistic director Seema Sueko’s staging. Certainly Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley and resident theater program underwriters Sheila and Jeffrey Lapinsky and family must be pleased. Premiered at the Guthrie Theatre in 2002, “Good Boys” is a hard-hitting drama that concerns two men, one black and one white. Both their sons died at 17 in a school shooting eight years ago. Thomas Thurman’s son Marcus was a victim, along with seven others. James Erskine’s son was the shooter. The fathers meet — not by chance — on a park bench. Pastor Thurman is so filled with anger he’s been unable to address his congregation since the tragedy. Once a successful businessman, the tortured Erskine has been destroyed. Mercilessly pursued by the media, he’s been sued by all the parents except Thurman. “We are both prisoners,” says Thurman. Different as they are, the two need each other. With flashbacks that include their two sons and which illuminate the causes of the incident, the play is not an easy ride. Sitting in the dark, unable to escape the pain, empathetic with both fathers and both boys, one absorbs their sorrow and their emotions, and is horrified by experiencing their raw anger, palpable pain and, above all, their vulnerability. Moved and horrified, one feels nonetheless the contrivances and manipulations of the playwright, and therefore feels more than a bit used, especially in the final scene with Thurman’s other son, Corin. It must be said, however, that the acting and keen direction here are the play’s salvation. Winner of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award for San Diego Rep’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Robert Barry Fleming proves himself an extraordinary actor as Thomas Thurman. San Diego State gradate Sacha Allen plays Marcus with just the right amount of swagger, and UCSD MFA candidate Johnny Ray Gill is fine as the living son, Corin. Marvelous Mike Sears, recently so effective in Compass’s “Killer Joe,” is understatedly superb as the public Erskine and frightening in his passive-aggressive domestic scenes. Young Jeremy Lelliott, who holds an MFA in acting from California State University, Fullerton, and who is having quite a career in TV and film, is a real find as Ethan Erskine, the shooter. His is a multi-faceted performance that glitters with the inner workings of the troubled shooter’s mental and emotional state. His physicality and depth are technically exhilarating. George Yé’s fight choreography is invaluable. David F. Weiner provides an evocative, effective set, well lighted by Jason Bieber. Reality and flashbacks are easily discerned. Jeannie Galioto is costume designer, and Joe Huppert the sound designer. “Good Boys” fulfills Mo`olelo’s purpose of uncovering stories within different communities. Their partnerships involve two local organizations, the Jenna Druck Foundation’s “Families Helping Families” program (www.jennadruck.org) and the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, which is dedicated to breaking the cycle of youth violence (www.tkf.org). Also involved are The Pearson Foundation, California School Psychology Foundation and San Diego County Association of School Psychologists. Because of the theater’s size and Mo`olelo’s astute marketing, hopeful ticket buyers should act now. Remaining performances are at 7:30 p.m. May 28 through 30 and June 5, 6, 12 and 13; and 2:30 p.m. June 17 and 14 at La Jolla Playhouse Mandell Weiss Forum Studio Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. For tickets and information, visit www.moolelo.net or call (619) 342-7395.
